Front strut noise?
Front strut noise?
Hey guys, quick question. We have a 2015 RDX which has right at 2500 miles on it, and I'm hearing a noise that sounds like super light strut clunk from the front passenger side. It's sort of a clunk, or knock, but very light. Just about impossible to hear at speed, but going very slowly we can hear it. Any ideas?
10th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
Since last week I am hearing the similar noise on my 2016 RDX at lower speeds. It's not always there, I hear it after I drive the car for 20-30 minutes. I can hear it only when the stereo and AC is off. My wife thought that there are fire-works (popups) going on somewhere near where we were driving but after hearing it carefully it was coming from front passenger side. I parked my car, switched of the engine put breaks. When I tried rocking the car, I could hear the same sound. I would describe more like a creaking sound. breaks? plastic against plastic. Its defiantly coming from engine bay, I can here it more inside the car than outside.
My car has only 400 miles. Could it be tyres, that they are new and once they get hot they make that noise when travel. But that won't explain the noise at rest.
I can take it in, but I don't know if I can reproduce it again because it's inconsistent.
My car has only 400 miles. Could it be tyres, that they are new and once they get hot they make that noise when travel. But that won't explain the noise at rest.
I can take it in, but I don't know if I can reproduce it again because it's inconsistent.
10th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
I just finished 600 miles on my car, I was hoping that more miles might stop the noise but no. It's more prominent now and I can hear all the time at 5-10 mph speed. I am taking it in this Thursday. Will update with the outcome.
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10th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
Took it in my car yesterday. Drove the mech with me and he could listen to the popping noise. He tried to locate it but he couldn't find the source. He checked everything under the hood and torque struts, suspension and all. They are saying there are no safety issues and it could be some extra metal or plastic that would wear off eventually. If not and the noise get more prominent then they asked me to bring it in again. So looks like I will have to live with it for couple hundred more miles and hope that it goes away.
Interesting. I'm almost 100% certain it's what's called "strut clunk" in my car. It's the grease in the strut that has worn off, and just needs to be re-greased. It happened in my STi. It was easy to diagnose in the STi though, it was only in the rear, so when coming to a stop, when the rear would settle, I would actually feel it catch, then fall, then clunk (lightly). This was at 30,000 miles though...
I'm fine with the clunk/creak noise for now, but shouldn't have mentioned it to my wife, she's not as happy with it haha.
I'm fine with the clunk/creak noise for now, but shouldn't have mentioned it to my wife, she's not as happy with it haha.
10th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
Though I thought I would leave with it, I cannot come to terms that dealer couldn't find the issue, did not escalate it to Acura and wants me to live with it for a while.
I have emailed Acura and waiting for their feedback. I have seen lot of people have complained about similar issue on different Acura models and it was either the front shock or ball bearing replacement. I am sure Acura can figure out the problem faster as they must have seen this in past with other cars.
Hoping that they will get back to me or I would just regret my decision of buying an Acura product. (I miss my BMW).
I have emailed Acura and waiting for their feedback. I have seen lot of people have complained about similar issue on different Acura models and it was either the front shock or ball bearing replacement. I am sure Acura can figure out the problem faster as they must have seen this in past with other cars.
Hoping that they will get back to me or I would just regret my decision of buying an Acura product. (I miss my BMW).
10th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
so looks like the problem is fixed. They changed the front right strut parts. However I couldn't confirm it for sure because when I took the car out I found that my steering position was out. I had to keep it tilted left for the car to go straight. I took it in again and the service manager said the work we performed would not cause this.
I told him that I noticed it so he can test drive. He did and confirm that streering is off. I asked him to check the alignment and he said it's not alignment issue and we just have to reposition the steering. However he still said that the strut replacement won't cause this which I think is total BS.
I am going to get my car tomorrow, hope they fix it for good.
My new car and dealership experience is not good so far. I know these are little issues but I hate when the service engineers think that the customer is stupid without knowing how much a customer could know about the car. They fix cars for the living and we drive for the living and the driver can tell the difference in driving better than a mechanic.
I told him that I noticed it so he can test drive. He did and confirm that streering is off. I asked him to check the alignment and he said it's not alignment issue and we just have to reposition the steering. However he still said that the strut replacement won't cause this which I think is total BS.
I am going to get my car tomorrow, hope they fix it for good.
My new car and dealership experience is not good so far. I know these are little issues but I hate when the service engineers think that the customer is stupid without knowing how much a customer could know about the car. They fix cars for the living and we drive for the living and the driver can tell the difference in driving better than a mechanic.
Last edited by virtualH; Sep 20, 2015 at 02:23 PM.
2021 RDX A SPEC
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 318
From: Vancouver, B.C.
Experiencing this with my 1 day old certified 2013 RDX. Will drive it next few days and then book it in for warranty.
Similar to this post for the noise :
https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...verall-901381/
Similar to this post for the noise :
https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...verall-901381/
Last edited by Acura604; Sep 24, 2015 at 08:30 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 352
Likes: 83
I can't believe you're even having this problem. Does acura "not get it" after years of strut issues? I have lots of wind noise from the a-pillars. This has been an issue with acuras for years, too. The tech told me he'd been with Honda/acura for 20 years and wind noise has always been an issue. So I started cranking up my music a little more to not make the wind noise (as if the window is opened a crack) so obvious. Two days ago I didn't have the music on and CRAP! A rattle! At low rpm I have a constant dash rattle above the speedometer/tach area. I don't think I want a tech tearing my dash apart as I will likely have more rattles than I started with. I think I'm just going to enjoy loud music.
10th Gear
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 4
I needed to have my front left strut replaced on my 2016 RDX after the car started making creaking noises when rolling at slow speeds (5-10 mph). This started happening with about 1000 miles on the car. Good thing the dealer took care of it without any hassle. But I had to wait about a week for them to order the struts.
I would bet that a massive percentage of RDX owners will never even know the sound exists, and with no performance or safety issue related to it, it's a smart play by Acura to keep using what they're using, they probably got a fantastic deal on them. The people on this board represent the top 1% of Acura owners to be certain, and if those 1% need replacements, then so be it, but the other 99% represents a savings for them.
2021 RDX A SPEC
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 318
From: Vancouver, B.C.
went in again... they could not duplicate the sound as it is intermittent...was told to:
- record it with my phone
- bring it in and keep it with them for a few days whilst I ride around in a loaner.
its been quite frustrating but the stupid hollow knocking sound is slowly making me go insane.
- record it with my phone
- bring it in and keep it with them for a few days whilst I ride around in a loaner.
its been quite frustrating but the stupid hollow knocking sound is slowly making me go insane.
Wow, sorry to hear it dude. My salesman called yesterday about our 6-month, I told him about the dip in the dash, and the struts, but that they were no big deal. I hope the clunk doesn't get louder!
Suzuka Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,863
Likes: 439
so looks like the problem is fixed. They changed the front right strut parts. However I couldn't confirm it for sure because when I took the car out I found that my steering position was out. I had to keep it tilted left for the car to go straight. I took it in again and the service manager said the work we performed would not cause this.
I told him that I noticed it so he can test drive. He did and confirm that streering is off. I asked him to check the alignment and he said it's not alignment issue and we just have to reposition the steering. However he still said that the strut replacement won't cause this which I think is total BS.
I am going to get my car tomorrow, hope they fix it for good.
My new car and dealership experience is not good so far. I know these are little issues but I hate when the service engineers think that the customer is stupid without knowing how much a customer could know about the car. They fix cars for the living and we drive for the living and the driver can tell the difference in driving better than a mechanic.
I told him that I noticed it so he can test drive. He did and confirm that streering is off. I asked him to check the alignment and he said it's not alignment issue and we just have to reposition the steering. However he still said that the strut replacement won't cause this which I think is total BS.
I am going to get my car tomorrow, hope they fix it for good.
My new car and dealership experience is not good so far. I know these are little issues but I hate when the service engineers think that the customer is stupid without knowing how much a customer could know about the car. They fix cars for the living and we drive for the living and the driver can tell the difference in driving better than a mechanic.
2021 RDX A SPEC
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 318
From: Vancouver, B.C.
I'm getting the replacement done this Thursday. It's my understanding that they have to replace both front struts and not just one. And as above an alignment must be done.
Car has 37000miles
I'll going to confirm this with dealer before allowing the work.
Car has 37000miles
I'll going to confirm this with dealer before allowing the work.
Last edited by Acura604; Nov 3, 2015 at 09:55 PM.
2021 RDX A SPEC
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 318
From: Vancouver, B.C.
hope to get the RDX back today or tomorrow.... I had instructed the 'service advisor' to change out BOTH front struts AND arrange for an alignment....but he was like "only if the mechanic thinks it needs it".. .lol...
and I hate this loaner... 2016 ILX premium. so cramped inside. The only positive were the LED Jewels and the rear LED tails. I tried out all the 'advanced' safety crap like:
Lane assist - I don't like a car trying to steer for me.
Blind Spot Monitoring - the orange light in the side view lights up too frequently catching the corner of my eye
Collision mitigation - big ass font in central display telling me to 'BRAKE NOW'.. no shit.
Lane departure - this is 'ok'...but I'm not a drifter lol.
...and the dealer wants me to replace whatever gas I used in the courtesy car. wow.
and I hate this loaner... 2016 ILX premium. so cramped inside. The only positive were the LED Jewels and the rear LED tails. I tried out all the 'advanced' safety crap like:
Lane assist - I don't like a car trying to steer for me.
Blind Spot Monitoring - the orange light in the side view lights up too frequently catching the corner of my eye
Collision mitigation - big ass font in central display telling me to 'BRAKE NOW'.. no shit.
Lane departure - this is 'ok'...but I'm not a drifter lol.
...and the dealer wants me to replace whatever gas I used in the courtesy car. wow.
Last edited by Acura604; Nov 6, 2015 at 11:40 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 83
Likes: 4
From: Orange County
I wish I read about the alignment before I dropped my car off at the dealer for strut replacement! 
They only replaced the front left (51621-TX4-A01) but as soon as I picked it up and got on the freeway, it start pulling to the left... Went back to the dealer and they are making me come back next Saturday 
They only replaced the front left (51621-TX4-A01) but as soon as I picked it up and got on the freeway, it start pulling to the left... Went back to the dealer and they are making me come back next Saturday
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 523
Likes: 144
From: Tempe, AZ
You shouldn't have to ask them to do it. An alignment should ALWAYS be done after a strut replacement. It should be a part of the replacement process. It's either incompetence or trying to get away without doing something they should.
10th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
I am actually very surprised that Acura is not addressing this problem. First the dealer never acknowledges it and we have to go at length to explain them the problem, then they do a lousy repair. Initially I thought it was just my dealer but looks like all of them do the same sub standard job.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,532
Likes: 959
I am actually very surprised that Acura is not addressing this problem. First the dealer never acknowledges it and we have to go at length to explain them the problem, then they do a lousy repair. Initially I thought it was just my dealer but looks like all of them do the same sub standard job.
The rear is widespread and common though, this on the other hand may be a bad batch of isolated cases. Though the rear issue is also happening on the mdx.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I thought I’d add to this thread and share my experience. I have a 2017 RDX Advance with nearly 15k miles. About 5k miles ago, I started noticing a very light rattling noise coming from the front of the car, very subtle and only detectable when driving at low speeds on uneven pavement such as parking lots. I never heard it going over speed bumps, smooth roads or high speeds. Just barely noticeable, but enough to bother me that my still relatively new RDX was making a bad noise.
When my RDX was due for B1 service, I took it in and explained the noise to a service advisor at the dealership. We went for a test drive around the facilities, and he could not immediately verify the noise. I couldn’t even hear it well from the passenger seat, but eventually he was able to detect the noise under the same conditions I mentioned and later confirmed it with the technician who worked on my car. It was the front left strut that was making the noise, and they replaced it under warranty, no questions asked. I felt vindicated, as my wife said I was crazy and she could never hear the noise.
I saw saw this post before taking it in, suspecting it may not have been a coincidence, so I’m hopeful my experience sharing this might entice some people to get their RDX’s checked out if they’re experiencing something similar.
Cheers!
When my RDX was due for B1 service, I took it in and explained the noise to a service advisor at the dealership. We went for a test drive around the facilities, and he could not immediately verify the noise. I couldn’t even hear it well from the passenger seat, but eventually he was able to detect the noise under the same conditions I mentioned and later confirmed it with the technician who worked on my car. It was the front left strut that was making the noise, and they replaced it under warranty, no questions asked. I felt vindicated, as my wife said I was crazy and she could never hear the noise.
I saw saw this post before taking it in, suspecting it may not have been a coincidence, so I’m hopeful my experience sharing this might entice some people to get their RDX’s checked out if they’re experiencing something similar.
Cheers!
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